Sokah2Soca

Part of the Yuh Is Ah Trini Series: Trini-Glish/Trini-idioms Spoken and Explained #58.

This one is pretty straightforward and is one of the most popular words used by children in Trinidad and Tobago. One of a member's good paliwals (friends) will always set up mischief and trouble for him or her while they are playing. Growing up in Trni was fun; then again, what are friends for? Mischief, we say!

Children like to tease, and teasing is done in many ways. However, when tankalanka is used, it is done to tease and inform the person in question that they are in dire straits—yes, you're in trouble, fren'. That good fren' now becomes a serial teasing machine and won't rest until the person tries to bring about the desired effect—satisfaction that yes, "ah get yuh back". "Tankalanka yuh will get ah good cut-arse when yuh modder finds out is you who thief the milk and sugar."

Tankalanka is also used as the name for one of my favorite Trinidad dictionaries. It is a compilation of various Trini words used on a daily basis. The author of the work is Ilka. She was "born in Germany of a Dutch father and a German mother, and I came to live in Trinidad (Trinidad and Tobago) in 1971." The dictionary can be accessed at this link: Tankalanka.

"Ah ha, tankalanka ahgo tell on yuh." "No, no, don't do dat; please doh tell!" That is a typical usage of the work, but then again, if you go to Tankalanka, the dictionary, and look up the work Tankalanka, you will get this: "Trouble, said in a teasing tone of voice. Tankalanka! Yuh mudder will beat yuh for this."

Just keep in mind that if you don't have a copy of Côté ci Côté là, you can find what you are looking for in the online 'Trini' dictionary, 'Tankalanka'. However, if you believe you have me cornered and plan to reveal your true intentions, begin the conversation by saying, "Tankalanka, ah go tell on you." Yuh see, now yuh is ah Trini! 

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Production Notes/Music Credits:

Song Title: Tankalanka

Artists/Performed by: Sackie

Origin: Trinidad

Genre: Zess Soca

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